Pick up from hotel at 8.35 as promised, no private transfer this time though so packed coach to the airport.
Not sure what time we arrived but special assistance was just inside the door so all checked in and delivered to the gate by 10.00.
Take off more or less on time at 11.20 and landed at 13.50 or 12.50 UK time. Luggage out at 13.25.
Home just after 2.30. Good journey.
Not off to a good start as I decided to check the weight of my suitcase after breakfast. The reps made a big point of telling us we could weigh our cases in the room off of reception so thought I should do this.
Packed my case and took it down only to find out that it cost €1 per case! Fortunately it was only 19.7kg so only had to weigh it once but it did make me cross.
Spent the rest of the day wandering the front and even felt the need to sit in the shade for a while. Still all good things must come to an end.
Leave the hotel at 8.35 tomorrow morning so just enough time for breakfast.
Took the TUI organised trip to Frigiliana and Nerja today, meant an early start as the coach left from the Yaramar at 8.30. Not used to being up before the sun!
Anyway got to Frigiliana by about 10am. Very small with not much open, decided not to catch the little train as it looked quite full so just wandered round the market and had an orange juice in the sun.
Then on to Nerja, much livelier with lots of narrow streets to wander. Too much for the old knees so.just found a spot in the sun and watched the world go by.
Back to Fuengirola by about 3.30, time for a quick drink in the last of the sunshine.
Surprised to find suchi on the dinner menu tonight.
By the b****y green parakeets. I know you can't see them but every palm tree I go near squawks. Must be really quiet in Beckenham at the moment.
Been trying to get a picture since I arrived but they're too quick when they're on the move and invisible but noisy when settled.
Spent the day wandering the prom heading back to Munchies bar, well I didn't actually go to Munchies but the bar next door is close enough for me to access their WiFi!
Managed to upload another batch of photos so if you're brave enough to scroll down through the blog to find the link there's about 100 more now!
Got too hot and had to move into the shade.
Now I have to do a post about Rosemary, my swim companion. We often end up in the pool at about 5.30 and catch up on what we've been doing. Anyway, yesterday we got round to the where are you from conversation.
I said South London, she said where
I said Bromley, she said where
I said Beckenham
Anyway you get the picture....
She currently lives somewhere up north but it appears she grew up in South London.
She then mentioned Peter Pan's pool and I said that was going back a bit as it hadn't been in operation for many years.
I mentioned I had been born off Whitefoot Lane and she said Haddington Road. Turns out she lived at number 55 in the early 70s. Talk about coincidences!
After a cool start to the day, the sun finally decided to come out in force and I have passed a very pleasant afternoon soaking up the rays.
On the way back to the hotel I bumped into a couple of women from the hotel who invited me to join them for a drink on the beach. They were off to watch the Wales v England match and we spent a while discussing the bet they were going to have with each other. Great fun and a good way to end the afternoon.
Nice short presentation about a different type of mattress today (opurest?) then about an hours drive up to the lakes. Very picturesque.
We were asked if we wanted to pre-order lunch on the way, 3 courses for €11 or a baguette for €5.50 but I resisted. I'd been given a tip to get off the bus, follow the road for about 100 yards and go to the bar/cafe there.
Did this and was very glad I did. The guide had only just finished taking the orders when we arrived and the restaurant was very much in the shade.
A few others from the coach also found my little bolt hole so we just sat in the sun and chatted for a while before heading back to the bus.
It was the guide's first day which certainly made it an interesting excursion. The chap behind me was more knowledgeable. All in all it was a good day especially considering it was free!
Booked a blanket trip to the lakes today with a different company so it's a bit of an adventure really.
Bit apprehensive waiting for the coach but pleased to say there are some familiar faces on board.
Sun has come out so hopefully will be a good day.
Bit overcast today so caught the bus to Torremolinos hoping the sun might come out. So far no luck with that!
Not such a good day today, woke up to rain, which although didn't last long, the clouds took their time to let the sun through.
Stayed in the hotel for a while just reading, even needed my fleece on indoors! Finally the sun came out so decided to venture up the road for coffee (and brandy). Not the sort of day for a chilled glass of rose - long trousers and fleece day today!
Although the sky was a brilliant blue and the sun was shining there was a very cold wind this morning so decided to get the bus to Benalmadena and see what it was like there.
Took a tour on the hop-on hop-off bus to get my bearings and got off in the Marina where the wind was not a problem. Sat for a while enjoying the sunshine then headed for home.
Had the pool to myself today which was wonderful and they have finally resolved the access problem!
Dinner tonight is supposed to be a Spanish selection so looking forward to that.
Had a really lazy day today, had a stroll along the prom and found a seat in the sun. Top layer off I soaked up the rays and read my book.
When I got a bit too warm decided to go back to the hotel and see what it was like by the pool. Even managed to get there in time for happy hour. Ordered my lunchtime glass of rose and two came along.
Very pleasant day, let's hope tomorrow is the same.
Thought I should give an update on access to the indoor pool. On Tuesday I tried the outside route, stairs a bit steep but made it down ok. Bit harder going up as the railing was wet and slippery.
Anyway I noticed that there was a gate just by the door that would let me walk round to the main entrance. No stairs!
Decided to wear shoes instead of flip flops on Wednesday and try that route. Got in through the dining room as it was just before 5.30 but when I tried to use the gate to come out it was locked. The attendant wouldn't open it as it was for staff only. Eventually after a phone call to her boss she agreed to let me go through the dining room "just for today".
This morning I decided to talk to the TUI rep as I thought she would have more pull than me. Checked back with her on my way down and she said it was fine. She had spoken to Dulce, guest relations, who had gone straight round to sort it out.
When I got to the pool, I checked with the attendant who said No, you have to use the stairs! When I went to leave to get the rep to sort it out she said ok "just for today". She didn't know who Dulce was and said only the "director" could change the rule.
Back to the rep..........
Yes, this is why I came, to sit in the sun (in a sleeveless top), read my book and watch the world go by.
Got to Mijas just before 1pm and had an ice cream for my lunch. Took the horse and cart ride round the town to get my bearings then settled in a little bar for a glass of wine.
Back on the coach at 3pm and at the hotel soon after 3.30pm. No nap this afternoon but managed my swim just before 5.30pm.
Now off to the gala dinner!
Well today's trip to Mijas involves a stop at the blanket factory first, that's why it's a free trip!
Left hotel just after 9am and after a few other pickups in Benalmadena and torremolinos we got to the factory about 10.30.
Interesting talk all about morino wool and how good it is for good sleep. I will soon need a new mattress so must admit am quite tempted. Not committed to anything today though.
Back on coach at 12.30 and on our way to Mijas.
Caught the bus to Benalmadena today €1.70 and headed down to the port. Found a nice seat in the sun and just sat for a while.
Watched everyone going down a ramp behind me so followed suit and came to the promenade with lots of shops and bars.
I knew I had a long way to get back up and decided to try the steps route. Not easy but I did it! And was rewarded with a beautiful square with a bar in it so stopped for lunch and a glass of wine.
After quite a long sit soaking up the rays and reading my book decided to head the rest of the way up and make my way back to the hotel.
Bit of a wait for the bus but made it home just before 4pm.
The hotel entrance features revolving doors and it's fascinating to watch how so many people don't seem to realise that you need to push them!
Had a reasonable nights sleep although it was still very windy. Wind still going strong when I eventually woke at around 8am but doesn't appear to be raining.
Breakfast (fruit then scrambled eggs on toast) then off to find welcome meeting at 10am.
Got there a bit late but managed to get maps of Fuengirola, Torremolinos and Benalmadena as well as the location of the nearest bus stop.
Booked a free trip to Mijas for Wednesday- have to go to blanket factory first but thought I'd give it a go anyway.
Welcome drink appeared to be limited to first 20 or so guests so have come to Marina Bay (part of hotel but on the front) for a diet coke and to see what it's like. I can swap dinner in the main restaurant (buffet) for here (a la carte) if I want to so might try that out tonight.
Arrived at the hotel about 3.15, had a private transfer from the airport a I guess I was the only one on my flight coming here.
Felt like a force 10 gale with rain thrown in for good measure! Cab driver couldn't open the boot to get my case out! He eventually drove round the corner and walked back with it. The wind nearly blew me over!
Anyway checked in to room 701, very nice!
Put my raincoat on and decided to go exploring, only as far as the supermarket opposite. Got there in no time, with the wind behind me but it was more of a struggle coming back.
Having done that thought I would go to the promenade (about the same distance in the opposite direction) and take some pics of the and sea. At least now the rain has stopped and it feels like the sun is trying to get through.
Next I'm off to investigate the pool.
Up with the alarm at 5.30 and ready when Philip arrived at 6.25. Good run to Gatwick, arrived at about 7.15.
Made my way to the bag drop as instructed (bit of a walk but I managed it) and told them I had special assistance booked! Seems I probably should have just gone to the desk at the drop off point as no one at the bag drop knew quite what to do.
Anyway it was really quiet so they helped me check in my suitcase and told me to go upstairs to the special assistance desk. From there it was plain sailing and all checked in, ready to go by about 7.45
Went off to find coffee and bought a sandwich (just in case) and settled back in the lounge to wait. Trolley came to take me to the gate around 8.30, looong way so glad I didn't try to do it on my own. On the plane by 9.15, full flight so a bit chaotic.
Not sure what the delay was but plane finally took off at about 10.15. Ordered a glass of wine (rose) and mini tub of Pringles and settled down to read my Fuengirola guide book. Just as I started to doze off they announced our descent and we landed about 12.30 which they told us was more or less on time.
Got collected from the plane and transported in trolley at record speed through what seemed like miles of empty corridors, although we did see a few people at passport control. Finally located TUI reply who escorted me to my private taxi
First time today I've felt cold AND it's pouring with rain!
